“I didn’t do— Never mind. We have to go. She wants to kill us.”
“It’s just like you to wait for someone to try killing you before you come to your senses.”
“What’s it say about you that you stick around?”
Petrina shrugged. “I have a weakness for wounded animals.”
Another loud clatter sounded inside the house, and Petrina pushed Selene toward a bush that backed up against the cliff. “We’re going for the wall. Follow me. Stay low and quiet.”
The cliff, lined with bushes and trees along the bottom, led them a long way around the village toward the market. The rockface ended abruptly—so did their cover.
“What now?” Selene asked.
“We cross through the market,” Petrina said. “I don’t think anyone knows that crazy bitch marked us for death yet. Act casual, and no one will suspect anything.”
“The guards won’t let us pass through the wall, casual or not.”
Once Aspasia got the word out that she was hunting them, the guards were more likely to kill them than stop them.
“They’re never going to see us,” Petrina said. “We’re just going to run up the wall.” At Selene’s wide eyes, she shrugged. “I tested it earlier. Three steps. Easy.”
She’d tested it? “You could have left. Why didn’t you go?”
Petrina’s lips dipped into a frown. “Why do you always think I’m one step from leaving you behind?”
“Whatever led you to help me initially—this desire to pay Alexandra back or prove something to yourself—surely you’ve had enough. Aren’t you ready to start your life?”
Petrina’s expression soured. “You’re an idiot.”
Selene wasn’t in the mood for a verbal sparring match. “Forget it.”
She started to exit their hiding place, but Petrina grabbed her by the wrist. “Selene, this is what friends do for each other. We watch each other’s backs. We stick around.” She sighed. “You do it for your friends already. I shouldn’t have to explain this to you.”
Selene didn’t know what to say. This entire time, she’d expected Petrina to vanish at the first opportunity, only sticking around to kick metaphorical rocks in Alexandra’s face. Even Turos had been smart enough to escape once free.
Petrina shook her head. “It’s weird for me, too. Believe me.”
“It’s not weird. I’m just surprised. I didn’t think you liked me.”
Her hazel eyes rolled so high, Selene thought they might stick. “You’re genuinely nice to be around, all right? And you did jump into the ocean to save me, so I owe you.”
The idea that they were trading life debts felt more plausible.
“Now, can we go?” Petrina asked.
“You’re still set on us climbing the wall?”
The assassin nodded.
If it was three steps up for Petrina, it would be four for Selene.
Damn. “I’m going to need a stool.”
Chapter
Twenty-Eight
Augustus sent Gus ahead some time ago, and he stood at the bow of his borrowed vessel, staring at the approaching island. He must have sailed near these isles a dozen times and never given them much notice. To be fair, they were almost entirely shrouded by a thick mist. Haunted, some had ventured.
